Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
438. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the Government's strategy to address public concerns regarding migration at EU level, noting that the recent European Movement Ireland EU Poll 2026 indicates that 49% of respondents in Ireland identify migration as the EU’s weakest area of performance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36473/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra439. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to assess the effectiveness of current EU policies in upholding core values such as human rights and the rule of law, in light of the EU Poll 2026 findings which show that only 50% of respondents in Ireland believe the EU is effectively upholding these values; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36474/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together.
I welcome the poll from European Movement Ireland and note the findings. I consider it crucial that we have a multi-faceted understanding of how the public view Ireland’s EU membership, and polls like this offer external perspective. It is particularly welcome that the poll found that support for Ireland’s membership of the EU remains strong at 82% in Ireland, and 76% in Northern Ireland.
Ireland remains a strong supporter of the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights as central values of the EU.
There are mechanisms in place within the European Commission which regularly review the effectiveness of current EU policies in this regard. The Commission Work Programme includes an annual plan of evaluations and fitness checks which initiate a process to stress-test the stock of EU legislation. In tandem with an annual programme of evaluations, the Rule of Law Report is a report prepared by the European Commission that examines developments across the Member States, both challenges and positive developments, in four key areas for the rule of law: the justice system, the anti-corruption framework, media pluralism and other institutional issues related to checks and balances. The work of the Fundamental Rights Agency is also of central importance as a centre of excellence for promoting, protecting and defending fundamental and human rights in the EU.
During Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we will maintain a strong focus on the development of the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights throughout our work.
As outlined in the Programme for Government, the EU Migration and Asylum Pact (the Pact) will come into force across the European Union just before our Presidency. This is the single biggest legislative package in this area ever agreed by the Member States and it will strengthen and integrate key EU policies on migration, asylum, border management and integration.
Under our Presidency, we will prioritise work to advance a fair, firm, rules-based approach to migration, asylum, including by working with all other Member States, Schengen-associated Countries, and the Commission to maintain a focus on monitoring implementation of the Pact in the months after it comes into operation, to support its ongoing full application and to identify and address early any gaps, should they emerge.
Hosting the Presidency, Ireland will also progress work on a number of legislative proposals related to ensuring a coherent and fair approach to migration, and to make sure Member States have access to the necessary financial assistance to support their systems.
